Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Choose a quote from the book that really speaks or stands out to you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book, and its value to you.
The quote that stood out to me the most so far is, "Are they happy? How can they be happy?" It was a question the main character asked herself when tourist ask her if SHE was happy. This quote really stood out to me because the main character is so reserved and caught up in her world that she does not know much of other's happiness. The tourist who asked her if she was happy does not know about what their "happiness" is either. Both people live in such different worlds. What is normal and happy in Gilead, the handmaid's home, is considered odd in Japan, where the tourist were from. Everyone has their own version of happiness. Things that make them feel joy and laugh but those things could make others feel sad. It all deals with interpretation. Another reason the quote stood out to me is because the handmaid responds that she is very happy yet thinks, "I have to say something. What else can I say?" Her following thoughts after her response indicate that she is not sure whether she is actually happy or not. It sounds more like she didn't know what else to respond and was afraid that if she said she wasn't happy she would get into trouble. Up to this point, the handmaid recalls many things before she had to become a handmaid. She remembers and misses the freedom she had as a child but does not speak out loud of her thought. It seems as if she has convinced herself that she is happy in Gilead where she can't even look many people in the eye. She has fooled herself to be content, just as many people do in the present real world.
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I was also intrigued by this scene and quote because I found Offred’s response upsetting and almost inhuman. It is interesting to see how laws and restrictions can keep people from their freedom of speech and emotions. I thought it was interesting how you said that she fooled herself to be content because I think that she knows she isn’t happy but refuses to express it. She was scared of getting in trouble which caused her automatic response of “yes, I am happy”. I think that the two worlds of the tourist and native could not be compared. It is interesting to read that actual tourist came and were watching the community and how it functioned as if it were a museum or a television show.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this quote I notice that it took her a really long time to answer, The tourist she didn't know what to say. I think that she does know that she is not happy she just doesn't want to show it.I agree with you Autumn and the part the Japaneses came to watch them like if they were some type of show or entertainment. Nancy I agree with you I think that if she were to say "no I'm not happy" then she would get into trouble by the "eyes" which are the people who watch them and their every move" Yeah you can tell by the tone of her voice when ever she talks about the way things were back then before all this when she had the freedom to do things. I feel like she knows that they are watching her and she is simply following the rules like all "women are "suppose" to"
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this quote, I feel the same curiosity that you do. It's intriguing to see the character be composed in her world. While reading, you begin to notice that she does not know what to say. She has indeed fooled herself to believe that she is happy, and yet can no longer look someone in the eye and say so. I feel that if she was truly happy she would be confessing her happiness to everyone. I agree with you, Nancy, because she pretends she is happy, but relives old memories. Thus, proving that her happiness is left behind and she is only content to prevent insanity. Autumn, I also agree with your statement. I believe that she is beyond scared that her mind automatically tells her that she is happy. Her verbal response is happiness. However,without eye contact, and the way she presents herself to others shows a different emotion.
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